The order reads in part, “this case raises an issue of first impression regarding whether the Governor’s reorganization power codified at KRS 12.028 empowers him to unilaterally abolish and recreate a board of trustees of a state university.”

Bevin’s newly appointed replacement board members and their authority prohibited until a final judgement is reached.

Beshear released the following statement about the court’s decision.

“Today’s court ruling is a win for Kentucky students, their families and our public universities. The governor does not have ‘absolute authority’ to ignore the Constitution and Kentucky law. I will continue my job of enforcing our Constitution’s separation of powers so that no one branch of government, regardless of who leads it, has absolute power.”

This afternoon Beshear held a press conference, reminding reporters that the injunction is just temporary and that he is pushing to move this case quickly to get answers for students and those impacted.

Part of that uncertainty is whether James Ramsey’s resignation is still in effect. Beshear told reporters that since Judge Shepard’s decision was made today that any decisions made prior to the temporary injunction will still stand.

For those in the UofL community who just want certainty and want all legal issues decided, Beshear says that his office is seeking that certainty for them.

Bevin’s office has 20 days to challenge the injunction.

Madeline Janicki

Madeline is a producer for Spectrum News. You can watch her work on Pure Politics, the only statewide nightly show dedicated solely to Kentucky Politics. Madeline is an Indiana native and received her degree in Communications from Indiana University. Her background is as a news producer but her passion for civic engagement and drive to bring voters information on issues that impact their lives brought her to Pure Politics. Here she gets to work on projects like her multi-part digital series on how the national group Teach For America is working in Eastern Kentucky Schools. If you have a story idea, email her at Madeline.Janicki@charter.com.